nick-save1

Congrats Nick!

Predictions for IR shuffle Starenky, maybe has had 8 to 10 shifts over the last couple of weeks and the choice of these Schrock, Thorne, Mele, or Leo. Tough decision Mele is a +10! Thorne +6 Leo +5 and Schrock +6. Out of that group I think Mele is playing the best.

That could be tough Sgriffith, because to my mind that's been the Komets' most consistent line, especially defensively. You'd almost hate to see them broken up in any way, especially with Rizk coming back. Tough, tough call.

That is why Al gets the big bucks.lol. There is one guy who I would put on the IR, but they call me nuts. I don't think this player plays the system all to well is out of position at times, and their are times he would be better off passing the puck instead of hanging on to it. I will give you a clue he is a +2.

I am basing that off observation and not how many points he has etc. Besides I think #10 plays better than him all around not in just one area.

I hope that Lovell is replaced by Starenky. Nothing really against Jamie, but I think that Starenky is just as good a skater and brings some physical presence back there. He is falling into the same category as Legault except he can skate and has the skill to play a regular shift. I'm sure that there are a lot of teams that would love to have him and actually play him. We seem to have trouble lately playing physical in our own zone and David would bring that.

Sgriffith, obviously you're comparing A-Pod and Mele. Stats wise it's not much of a comparison. Granted A-Pod has played two more games then Mele but:

A-Pod has scored three times as many goals.
Has almost twice the assists.
Mele has taken twice the penalties that A-Pod has.
A-Pod has two goals and five assists on the power play to Mele's 0s in both categories.
A-Pod has two game winners compared to Mele's 0.
The only stat Mele leads in is the + -

Statistically speaking A-Pod contributes far more to the team.

I can remember people complaining about Lenny Thornson being a puck hog too and his goals to assists ratio is about the same as A-Pod's.

I won't say you're crazy though, but IMO A-Pod does contribute more to the success of this team.

I just can't figure out how his plus-minus is so poor considering who else he's playing with and what their's is. That goes back to not playing the system and covering his guy a lot.

Mele doesn't play the PP, and doesn't always have a regular shift. You have to take into consideration opportunity, and in that respect, Apod has been given more than Mele.

Exactly Blake and that is my point and yes he has the points but on the defensive side of things he is a liability.

Also to Mele's PIM he plays an aggressive style plays the body and is not afraid of having to fight when the other team does not like how he plays. Apod seldom plays the body and at times tries to be too fancy with the puck. Very talented player but not discipline enough to consistently play the system. When he does do all that he will become a very dominate player.

i would personally cut mele or leo and then lovell. jamie is ok but for a vet he doesnt do anything more special than the rookies so he is a liability unless hes playing for peanuts! mele is a good player and needs alittle more seasoning. i think leo has been going downhill and in this year that we expected 30 goals from him it looks like he might get 10! as good as a guy he is, maybe he needs a change of scenery so id trade him somewhere for some young talent.

The thing with Leo is his role has changed..he is basically on a checking line and that lines job is to shut down the other team. I would guess who goes and who stays also heavily depends on vet and rookie status.

No matter what they do they had better be ready tonight to play physical game Missori is a tough club and Friday I would say Sgroi will have something to say Friday night that game in Eville could be a fun one

They could cut Leo and Lovell and not miss a beat. Rizk is younger and a better overall player than Leo. Starenky is more physical and a better defensive defenseman than Lovell. Sure you lose a little offensive production but I don't think Starenky turns the puck over nearly as much as Lovell does. Lovell should just wear #9. Don't forget Llwellyn either. He has played solid when he's been in the lineup. The K's have some very good young players and are getting good production out of most of the vets. They have a good nucleus and have a good shot at competing for a championship. I like these lines:
Smith Chaumont Apod
Chaulk Bennefield Auger
Rizk Schrock Thorne
Mele
Henley Milam
DeAngelis Starenky
Molle Molle

aPod is one of the most overrated players to play here in the last 10 years.

Blake, I have been thinking about the +- difference for APod. As the left winger, he only has the long change for the second period at home, correct? If so it would be the right winger who has to be carefful with staying out too long. Do they keep ice time stats? He may be extending shifts and getting into trouble with his man coming off the bench fresh. There is a very specific line change protocol. This may be the system breakdown I have heard in reference to APod. Just a thought.

I don't disagree with some of the comments about APod and his defensive play. I do think it has improved some over last season and it needs to improve more, but I think it also needs to be kept in mind that from time to time you will have a high scoring forward that is poor on defense, at any level of hockey.

Once that player reaches the furthest point of their development and they are still lacking a bit on defense the team needs to decided if his offensive skill is worth the lack of defensive skill and adapt or make the cut and hope another team isn't willing to make the adjustment and have the offensive skill to bury you in head to head play and in the standings because of that offensive skill.

I haven't been tracking this, but how many lines has APod played on? That can make a difference too considering everyone on a line is going to get a minus when a goal is scored against them.

i personally dont think the plus minus means a whole lot. too many things can happen on the ice that you have nothing to do with and you get charged + or - just the same. give me a point a game for a forward and a protect your goalie penalty for a d man id be happy.

I agree Steve and Chuckitt. You have to look at +- more situationally. Were the minus in a blow out, one or two bad games. You can track that. I also think that offensive upside is something this team has needed.
Having said that, +- is being used more and more as a gauge of a players worth. Right or wrong.
The players are acutely aware of that stat, mostly because it comes up during the contract talks.